Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board

First Responder Program

About the First Responder Program
How to become a First Responder Department
First Responder Newsletters

About the First Responder Program

The First Responder (FR) Program was created in July, 1989 to address recommendations resulting from a report prepared by Chief Coroner Vince Cain.

The primary objective of the FR program is to improve the continuity of patient care provided throughout the Province for pre-hospital emergencies. By recognizing that police and fire department personnel are often available to assist patients prior to arrival of ambulance crew, basic medical training provides responders with knowledge and capability deal with critical situations involving airway, breathing and/or circulation concerns until higher levels of help can take over. Even when the first responder is only able to comfort the patient and document initial findings, a difference can be observed.

There are now over 7,000 first responders registered in the Province. Many have acquired additional training in the form of Automatic External Defibillator (AED) and spinal management to address cardiac arrest and major trauma situations respectively. Being a provincial program, the training program developed by the Paramedic Academy helps ensure that care provided is consistent and appropriate for those in need.

How to Become a First Responder Department

When a department expresses an interest in participating in the First Responder Program, the following requirements need to be addressed or confirmed:

• Approval by local authority (i.e. municipality or regional district) for department's involvement in first responder activity;
• Confirmation that indemnification coverage will be provided by the department's local authority and what the maximum coverage is;
• The ability to be dispatched to 9-1-1 calls must be understood and coordinated with the British Columbia Ambulance Service (BCAS) as indicated by letter of support or provider agreement; and
• Training must be provided by qualified instructors, either within the department or arrangements made with another department.

The Program was designed primarily for police and fire departments. By encouraging these departments to participate, many areas will benefit by having first responders on site to provide basic first aid care, and to provide support until BCAS crew can take over. The response since 1990 has been significant with approximately 7000 individuals training as first responders.

Fire departments are responsible for most of the licensed first responders currently registered. Exceptions exist in a small number of non-profit societies providing a similar service. These groups were approved for their area since the local fire department was not permitted by its local or regional authority to provide first responder services. So long as a fire department is capable and permitted to function, other groups in the same area will not be approved.

The extent to which each first responder department responds to a medical or trauma call should be discussed between the first responder department and BCAS. It should also be documented in a provider agreement so that exceptions are clearly understood.

First Responder Newsletters

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